1. Melt the butter in a large heavy pan, then cook the bacon, onion and carrot until beginning to color.2. Add the celery and cook over a medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the stock, bay leaf, parsley sprig, and salt and pepper and bring to a boil.3. Cover and simmer gently for about 25 minutes, until the celery is tender and the liquid is reduced to a few tablespoons. Serve hot.

Personally a big fan of celery stir fry. My dad does an awesome one --just wings it. Some recipes call for chinese celery - but regular works fine too. Here are two recipes that look tasty -- one shrimp, one plain:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/fo...